Abdelrahman
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
Quick Overview
- The latest Android 16 Beta 2 includes a new feature for the “double press power button” menu.
- This functionality allows you to choose whether to launch the camera application or your default wallet app when double pressing the power button.
- Previously, the power button shortcut on Pixel phones was exclusively configured to bring up the camera app.
Android simplifies access to the Google Wallet application, which is particularly useful for users who manage multiple credit cards, transit passes, or similar items. You can easily access the app by tapping its icon on your home screen, selecting the wallet tile in Quick Settings, or long-pressing the lock screen shortcut. Additionally, on certain Android devices, double pressing the power button can now also launch Google Wallet. Historically, Pixel devices always defaulted to opening the camera app with this gesture, but with the recent introduction of the Android 16 beta, you can now customize this behavior.
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Today, Google has begun the rollout of Android 16 Beta 2. After updating one of my Pixel phones, I discovered that the previous “quickly open camera” page has been replaced with a new “double tap power button” option. You can find this setting under Settings > System > Gesture, where you can customize the double-tap power button action to either access the Pixel Camera app (the default camera on Pixel devices) or your default wallet app. I first noticed this setting in the third beta of Android 15’s second quarterly release, and it’s now available in Android 16 Beta 2.
Once you set this feature to “Wallet,” you can quickly access the default wallet app with a double-tap on the power button, no matter which app you’re currently using. However, if your phone is locked, you will need to unlock it first to view your cards. This security measure ensures that unauthorized users cannot access your wallet information when your device is locked.
Here’s a short video showcasing this feature in action on a Pixel 9 Pro equipped with Android 16 Beta 2. As illustrated, setting the “double tap power button” option to “Wallet” allows for easy access to the default wallet app (which I’ve set to Google Wallet) simply by double-tapping the power button.
This feature is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need quick access to Google Wallet, though it would be great to see more customization options. Currently, the gesture is limited to launching either the camera or wallet apps, while many other manufacturers provide extensive customization options in this area. Google, however, seems to be prioritizing simplicity for the time being.
